Shorts: 50 Cent, Scottish Fa, Team GB

US rapper 50 Cent has announced the sponsorship of a Welsh under-14s football team.

The unexpected deal, which sees 50 Cent sponsor AFC Rumney U14 girls’ side, materialised after one player’s fathers worked with the artist during his recent tour. 

50 Cent’s name and his hip-hop collaborators, G-Unit, are both set to feature on the team’s away kits as part of the agreement.

Richie Brown, Manager of AFC Rumney U14 girls, commented, “At first when you tell anybody they don’t believe it, they just say ‘no way, there’s no chance that’s going to happen, he’s too big of a superstar’. 

“It’s huge for grassroots football teams to get people and businesses support us to be able to get better things.” 

Referring to to Hollywood ownership of another Welsh club, Wrexham AFC, Brown added, “I think Ryan Reynolds has got a bit of competition now.

“I’m sure the community up in Wrexham is absolutely buzzing with what Ryan Reynolds has done, and hopefully 50 Cent can have that same kind of impact with us down here.”

The Scottish FA has announced a new partnership with MatchWornShirt.

As per the agreement, the online auction platform has become the exclusive home of worn and signed Scotland National Team shirts for the next five years.

From now until 2028, every friendly, qualification or major tournament finals match that both the men’s and women’s Scotland national football teams compete in will be followed by an online auction featuring the worn and signed shirts of the players.

MatchWornShirt Head of Business Development James Flude, said, “Our company gives people the chance to own a piece of history, so naturally we are delighted to have partnered with a national side whose inception was the catalyst for more than 150 years of international football.

“The trajectory that Scottish football is on is phenomenal and we are delighted to be joining forces at what is such an exciting time for the Scotland national teams.”

Scottish Football Marketing Commercial Director, Brendan Napier, added, “At a time where we want to bring football and the fans closer together than ever, I’m delighted that our partnership with MatchWornShirt will do just that and the chance for our supporters to own iconic shirts, worn by iconic players is hugely exciting.

“The Team at MatchWornShirt are innovative and passionate football people, mirroring our own values, and we look forward to lots of fun and success with them over the next five years.”

US payment card services corporation Visa has today unveiled its British Team Visa roster.

This Team Visa programme champions Olympic and Paralympic athletes by providing tools, resources and support to help them win at the Games. Athletes are selected based on ‘their personal journeys to The Olympic and Paralympic Games, athletic achievements and community involvement.’

Skateboarder Sky Brown, swimmer Adam Peaty and Jonathan White have all been announced on this year’s roster.

Visa has been the proud Worldwide Payment Technology Partner for The Olympic and Paralympic Games for almost 40 years, the first global sponsor of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and has sponsored every Paralympic Games since 2002. 

Jonathan White, Team Visa athlete Paracanoeist says: “I’m incredibly excited to be part of Team Visa for Paris 2024. There’s no doubt that, in order to compete at the highest level and have any chance of going to The Olympic Games or The Paralympic Games, it takes absolute commitment. Essential to this is my relationship with Visa, which allows me to train full time and get the rest and recovery I need in between training.”

Tottenham Hotspur Women has announced a partnership with international travel and lifestyle brand TUMI.

TUMI becomes the official formal luggage partner of Spurs’ women’s side and will feature on the back of player shirts during all games.

Players, coaches and support staff will also travel with personalised TUMI products.

Todd Kline, Chief Commercial Officer, Tottenham Hotspur, commented, “The club holds TUMI and its products in extremely high regard following recent, successful partnerships. We know that our players will benefit hugely from TUMI products on their travels to and from matches.

“Just ahead of our first home game of the season, this new partnership adds to the excitement for the upcoming campaign and helps to demonstrate what an exciting time it is to be associated with Tottenham Hotspur Women.”

This latest partnership further strengthens TUMI’s relationship with the club, having previously partnered with the men’s team for the recent Asia-Pacific Tour. Men’s team captain Heung-Min Son is also a global TUMI ambassador.

Betfred Championship rugby league club London Bronchos has agreed a short-term sponsorship with Piñata Smashlings .

The deal, agreed between Bronchos and toy and entertainment studio Tokido, will span the remainder of the Betfred Rugby League Championship Playoffs. 

As per the agreement, the logo of the Piñata Smashlings game will feature on the first-team’s playing shorts.

Mark Kemp, Head of Commercial at London Bronchos, commented, “It’s great to have brought another new name to the sport, and one that is capturing the imagination of so many young people right now. Here at Broncos, we are excited at the opportunities that this partnership could bring and look forward to further conversations on how the brands could work and develop together in the future.”